Early Detection and IntervenTion in Heart Failure

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Intervention bundle comprising increased awareness, early diagnostics, and early treatment to improve HF prognosis.: The study aims to fill critical gaps and evaluate patient-centred outcomes, including hospitalization for acute HF, and health economic implications by using routine clinical data and the standard operating procedures as part of routine clinical practice in the participating sites.

Study summary

Heart failure (HF) occurs when the heart is no longer able to pump blood effectively throughout the body. This leads to symptoms that gradually worsen over time and are often mistaken for normal signs of aging. Because of its insidious onset, early detection is challenging. Both patients and healthcare professionals are often insufficiently aware of the early signs and symptoms of HF, resulting in delayed diagnosis. Consequently, timely initiation of treatments that could slow disease progression, improve quality of life, and reduce hospitalizations is often missed. Although a simple blood test measuring NT-proBNP levels can facilitate the early diagnosis of HF, it is not routinely used in clinical practice.

The aim of this study is to evaluate whether a combined strategy for the early diagnosis and treatment of HF can reduce hospitalizations. This strategy includes:

1. increasing awareness of HF among patients and physicians,
2. using NT-proBNP testing for the early detection of HF in high-risk patients, and
3. promptly initiating guideline-directed HF treatment when the diagnosis is confirmed.

The researchers will assess whether this strategy effectively reduces hospitalizations due to acute heart failure over an 18-month follow-up period.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Acute HF event — 18 months after intervention
  Time from the index procedure to an acute HF event or follow-up date, together with binary variable indicating the occurrence of an acute Hf event. Acute HF event during index hospitalization is defined as acute HF severe enough to require admission to an intensive/intermediate care unit, non-invasive ventilation, or treatment with at least 40mg furosemide IV.

Trial sites (21)

More University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland trials in Germany